About SalaryMetro
Your trusted source for accurate salary information across the United States.
Who We Are
SalaryMetro is an independent salary information website operated by a small team of career researchers and web developers. We are not affiliated with any government agency, recruiting firm, or employer. Our goal is simple: to make official government salary data accessible and easy to understand for everyone.
We started SalaryMetro because we noticed that salary information online is often outdated, unreliable, or hidden behind paywalls. By using publicly available data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we provide salary information you can actually trust.
Our team is based in the United States and we are committed to maintaining this resource as a free, ad-supported service for job seekers, career changers, and anyone curious about compensation trends.
Our Mission
We believe everyone deserves access to accurate salary information. Whether you're negotiating a new job offer, considering a career change, or benchmarking compensation for your company, having reliable data is essential.
SalaryMetro makes this information accessible by presenting official government salary data in a user-friendly format, helping you make informed career and compensation decisions.
Our Career Expert Team
Our salary guides and career advice are written and reviewed by a team of experienced career professionals:
Janet Morrison, CPCC
Career Coach & Salary Negotiation Expert
Certified career coach with 15 years experience helping professionals negotiate compensation and advance their careers.
Robert Chen, MBA
Tech Recruiting & Hiring Expert
Former senior recruiter at Google and Amazon with expertise in tech hiring and compensation structures.
Dr. Lisa Rodriguez, PhD
Labor Economist & Salary Data Analyst
Labor economics professor specializing in wage determination, occupational trends, and compensation analysis.
Mark Sullivan, SHRM-SCP
HR Director & Benefits Expert
Senior HR professional with 20 years experience in compensation, benefits design, and total rewards strategy.
Our Data Source
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
All salary data on this website comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program.
The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation, states, and metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas.
Visit BLS OEWS ProgramHow BLS Collects Salary Data
Understanding how the Bureau of Labor Statistics collects and calculates salary data helps you interpret our figures accurately. The OEWS survey is one of the most comprehensive wage data collection efforts in the United States.
Survey Methodology
The BLS surveys approximately 1.2 million employer establishments across all industries over a three-year cycle. Employers report the number of employees and wages for each occupation in their establishment. This provides statistically valid estimates at national, state, and metropolitan levels.
What is Included in Wages
OEWS wage estimates include base rate, cost-of-living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and production bonuses), and tips. They do NOT include overtime pay, severance pay, tuition reimbursements, or non-cash benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions.
Percentile Calculations
We display wages at the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles. The median (P50) represents the wage where half of workers earn more and half earn less. The 10th percentile represents entry-level or lowest-paying positions, while the 90th percentile represents senior or highest-paying roles in that occupation.
Data Currency
The BLS releases new OEWS data annually, typically in April for the previous calendar year. We update our database within 30 days of each new release to ensure you have access to the most current official data available.
Who Uses SalaryMetro
Job Seekers
Research fair compensation before job interviews. Understand what employers in your target market are paying for your skills, and negotiate offers with confidence using official government data.
Employees Seeking Raises
Use market data to support your case for a salary increase. Compare your current compensation to industry benchmarks and present objective data to your manager during performance reviews.
Career Changers
Explore salary potential in different fields before making a career transition. Compare earning potential across occupations and understand how your skills might translate to new industries.
HR Professionals and Recruiters
Benchmark compensation packages against market rates. Ensure your job postings offer competitive salaries and make data-driven decisions about compensation structures.
Students and Educators
Research career paths and earning potential before choosing a major or career direction. Educators use our data to provide students with realistic expectations about compensation in various fields.
People Considering Relocation
Compare salaries across different cities and states. Understand how cost of living affects your purchasing power and make informed decisions about job offers in new locations.
Editorial Methodology
We take data accuracy seriously. Here is how we create and maintain the content on SalaryMetro:
Official Data Only
All salary figures come directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program. We do not use crowdsourced data or estimates from other sources.
Regular Updates
We update our salary data when new BLS OEWS releases are published, typically on an annual basis.
Clear Attribution
We clearly cite the BLS as our data source on every page and link directly to the original government data.
Expert Review
Career guides and advice articles are written and reviewed by our team of career professionals with relevant industry experience.
What We Provide
80+ Occupations
Salary data for popular careers across healthcare, technology, business, and more.
50 Metro Areas
Location-specific salary information for major US cities and metropolitan areas.
Detailed Breakdowns
Median, 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentile salary data for each occupation.
Cost of Living
Compare salaries adjusted for local cost of living across different cities.
How to Use This Site
Browse by Occupation
Start with a job title to see salary ranges across all locations.
Browse Occupations →Explore Career Categories
Discover jobs within specific industries like healthcare or technology.
Browse Categories →Important Disclaimers
Financial Disclaimer
This website does not provide financial advice. Salary data represents statistical estimates only and should not be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, job negotiations, or career planning. Consult with qualified professionals for personalized financial or career advice.
Data Disclaimer
The salary information presented on this website is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual salaries may vary significantly based on factors including experience, education, certifications, industry, company size, geographic location within a metro area, and individual negotiation.
Salary data represents estimates only and may not reflect current market conditions.
No Government Affiliation
This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. For official data, please visit bls.gov/oes.